Ahmad Ali

Expression and identification of folate-sensitive fragile sites in British Suffolk sheep (Ovis aries)

An investigation to understand the dynamics and biological significance of fragile site expression, and identification of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) induced chromosomal gaps/breaks, were carried out in an experimental flock of 45 Suffolk sheep. The statistical comparison revealed, highly significant variation in the frequency of chromosomal fragile site expression between control and FUdR cultures. Mean (± S.D.) values for cells with gaps and breaks, or aberrant cell count (AC), and the number of aberrations (NoA) per animal were 2.02 ± 0.34, 2.42 ± 0.48, 13.26 ± 0.85 and 21.87 ± 1.88 (P < 0.01) in control and FUdR cultures, respectively. The comparison of age revealed nonsignificant variation between control and FUdR cultures. The G-band analysis of fragile site data revealed gaps in 29 autosomal and two X-chromosomal bands in the control cultures, whereas FUdR treated cultures scored 78 unstable bands in autosomes of which 56 were significantly fragile. X-chromosomes expressed breaks and gaps in six G-negative bands and five of them (Xq13, Xq15, Xq17, Xq24 and Xq26) were significantly fragile. The distribution comparison of autosomal fragile sites between sex groups did not reveal any significant variation. Female X-chromosomes were significantly more fragile than the male X-chromosomes. The distribution comparison for age groups (lambs versus adults) revealed significantly higher number of fragile bands in adults. Comparison of published data on reciprocal translocations in sheep with the fragile-site data obtained in this study indicated that the break sites of both phenomena were correlated. Similarities were also found between fragile sites and breakpoints of evolutionary significance in family Bovidae.

Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis 28 years later

Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is an important tick borne disease of equines that is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum). The etiological agent has veterinary as well as public health importance because of its zoonotic nature. A. phagocytophilum causes an acute illness in equines with loss of appetite, lethargy, hemorrhages and lameness. Clinically, EGA is diagnosed upon examination of morulae within neutrophils especially granulocytes in the blood. The best diagnostic tool for the detection of EGA is Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Previous studies suggested that EGA is a self-limiting disease and tetracycline therapy is considered as a best treatment regimen. There is no comprehensive summary on the occurrence and distribution of the infection at global level. Therefore, we intended to provide a comprehensive summary on the prevalence and epidemiology of EGA in different areas of the world. It includes mapping the global distribution of EGA in different areas of the world to identify the endemic regions which may be a source of potential disease outbreak. For this purpose, the published data from 1990 to 2018 on EGA was reviewed and collected by electronic literature search of five databases including Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and Web of Science.

Sero-epidemiology of bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in sheep and goats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan

Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection is an emerging hazard in small ruminants having socio-economic impacts on animals and associated people. The current study was aimed to estimate the sero-prevalence and associated risk factors in sheep and goat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Three distinct zones (northern, central and southern) with four districts (Mansehra, Abbottabad, Swabi, and Kohat) with a higher population of small ruminants were selected. A total of n = 408 sera originating from sheep (n = 212) and goats (n = 196) were randomly collected for detection of BTV group specific antibodies through competitive ELISA (c-ELISA). Univariable and multiple logistic regressions were applied to assess the potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of this disease. Results showed an overall prevalence of 50.00% (CI = 44.17-54.83) of BTV in both sheep and goats with a significant difference (p < 0.05) among different districts. The prevalence of BTV in sheep was found higher (56.60%, CI = 49.6-63.4) than goats (42.86%, CI = 35.8-50.1). The risk factors identified based on chi-square test were; 1-2 year of animals, herd size and location in sheep while, milking status, ticks infestation, location and herd size for goats (p < 0.05). On the basis of univariable analysis, 1-2 year of animals, and location for sheep while, ticks infestation and location for goats (OR > 1). Multiple logistic regressions conferred only herd size and location as potential risk factors (OR > 1) for BTV in sheep and goats. The study concluded higher prevalence of BTV in sheep than the goats, the risk factors were significantly associated with the occurrence of disease, and together ascertaining the needs to design appropriate disease management and control strategies in sheep and goats.

Cortistatin vaccination – A solution to growth hormone deficiency

Cortistatin and somatostatin are neuropeptides which have inhibitory effects on growth hormone through common five receptors. Although, both have inhibitory effects but, only cortistatin has direct inhibitory effects on growth hormone secretagogue and is more potent inhibitor of growth hormone than somatostatin. This control of growth hormone can be manipulated through immunoneutralization of cortistatin through cortistatin DNA vaccine rather than antibodies application. A DNA vaccine of cortistatin can be produced using recombinant DNA technology in a eukaryotic expression system and will serve as a tool not to only alleviate the growth hormone deficiency problems in human but, can also be used to improve growth rate in farm animals.